my Trip to Afghanistan

I'm currently Deployed to Afghanistan. Last week i made a big long post about it, and the internet went down right as i was trying to send it! so this will probably be the shorter version with more pictures and less words.

We left on the weekend, so Jakob and Sarah got to see me off. This was during the peak of our German summer, so it was a blazing 90 degree's and jakob wanted some cool water. Even though he has his sippy cup that is always fully stocked, it's much more fun to drink out of the big boy's water

Here are our bags all ready to go, now it was just a sit and wait game.

This was our mode of transportation. It was a pretty sweet ride and being able to stretch out was much nicer than being cooped up in a chair the whole time. We also got to fly straight into afghanistan instead of stopping off in qatar or Manas.

Like I said, way nice to move around and spread out! Here we are playing a game of spades on a Jammer.

And our in flight meel was classic PB&J made on the top of a Light-all.

This is our group's first glimpse of Kandahar Air Field.

We had to be in our IBA gear to get off the plane. We were all shuffled into the "welcome" building, which also happened to be the building Al-Queda used as their last stand when we were taking back the airport in 2003 or so. This building looked like it had been through hell.

Here is my room, or POD. Everybody throws up blankets to create a small hole of privacy, commonly called "spank tanks." My personal little space is the one on the right closest to the door. This is a rare oportunity with the lights on. 2 of us work 8pm-8am, one works midnight-noon, one works 8am-8pm, and 2 work noon-midnight, so there is never a time when it's polite to turn the lights on.

Here is my space with the lights on

And more normally with just my little lamp on

Here is where I work, looks exciting doesn't it?

Here is the HAMS, it's a pain in the ass to back trailers in this tight spot. Amazing how some people have been here for almost 4 months, working out of the HAMS every day, and still can't back a trailer! oh to be able to pull the girl card...

And this little guy is why we are here. It's pretty cool to load a plane, and it actually comes back with empty pilons. When Sarah was in Iraq, our F16's only dropped 4 bombs the whole time. 1 was a dud, 1 was dropped to blow up the dud, and 2 were dropped for "training." Out here were dropping more than that on a busy night!

Well that's all for now!

My neighbor in our pod lets me borrow his laptop a day or two a week, on my day off (how i'm typing right now), or just about any time I ask him to use it. Besides watching bootleg movies, I like to look at pictures of my incredible family.

I found out that the government computer network doesn't block blogger, so i can see these pictures at work now as well as share them with you! None of these pictures are new, just my favorites.


Here are my favorite pictures of me and my beautiful wife.

At the north see, Sarah's first time seeing a large body of water (lakes don't count!)


In france somewhere. Thanks Air Force for paying for our vacations!


the work we had to do for that vacation... Memorial Day at Brittany American Cemetery in Western France

In Cochem about to climb the steepest hill EVER.


Us with Sabine Schmidt. Winner of the 24hour race at the Nurburgring, and driver of the famous Ring Taxi.


I love this photo for a few reasons. It's at my favorite resturaunt, the Pistonklaus which is right by my favorite race track, the Nurburgring. I think Sarah looks incredible just a couple months after having Jakob, and I love the candid shot of Jakob trying to grab mommies bread.


Besides meeting real life racing hero's, the Pistonklaus has the best steaks too! YUMMM.


Look at how good Sarah looks only a few months after growing that melon in her guts!


At the top of Cochem Castle.


The two of us at King Ludwigg's palace.

Here are some pictures of my little boy that I took of him while Sarah was in Iraq.

Naked man!


Jakobs little baby face


learning how to use his hands.


learning how to sit up! He loved this game of me propping him up and trying to take a photo before he flopped over. Funnest game to play every night!


He's got such a great smile!


And loves being Naked! that's my boy!


He was loving the sunshine, but didn't like the grass, so i had to put down the blanket to keep him happy.

My favorite pictures of the hottie that decided to take a chance on me.

Lovin the pose!

Preggo and looking great!

Looking good in uniform, I wish she had to participate in blue's Mondays.


Floating on water. Sarah lost those awesome nike's shes wearing at the hospital :(
i've been looking for a replacement set of those, but haven't been able to ever find them.


me trying to be artsy.

When my Mom came to visit:

Us in Paris

that tower everybody loves.
we climbed the stairs to the top... OMG.

And here are my other favorite photo's

Before Jakob could sit up we would wedge him in the corner of the couch. He lasted a few moments before wiggling loose and falling on his face!


Happy not laying on his back!

Sleeping in on Saturday while I make breakfast.

Jakobs first smiles, he's soo little!

awesome photo by Betty

Funniest picture of jakob! he looks like a circle!


Our happy baby!

He loved these keys.


And we love this face he would make.


Sarah said this was her favorite picture while she was in Iraq. Little jakob couldn't even hold his hed up then, man they grow so fast!


Sarah loves this photo.


Jakob doing a good job of checking out the tulip garden.


Sarah and my Mom, just a few hours after we got married!


Mom bought a cuckoo clock at a store in bavaria, and the lady in the shop gave Jakob this monkey for being so adorable. Mr. Monkey has become a very prominant figure in our little family.


at Edelweiss working on that tummy time and checking out Mr. Monkey.

And of course I couldn't make a post without cars right?

The 325 on the Green M5 wheels. Sooo cool!

Justin Lemmon and I waiting for the track to open for a few laps. This was right before Justin left for the Air Force Honor Guard.

Finally, I love you Sarah, I can't wait to come home to you.